“National Night Out” was held Tuesday with a goal of uniting the community to fight crime. But for many it also was a chance to get out of the house.

“It sounded like fun,” said Tanya Arellano of Whittier, who came with a friend and family to the Whittier event at Michigan Park.

“It’s chance to take the kids out so they can have some fun,” Arellano said.

This year is the 29th anniversary of the national program that is celebrated in all 50 U.S. states and territories, Canada and U.S. military bases around the world.

More than 37 million people were expected to participate this year.

In Pico Rivera, this year’s National Night Out event in the sheriff’s station parking lot honored the late Maria Hicks who was shot and killed in August 2007 when she tried to stop two people from tagging a wall.

Lt. Steve Sanchez of the sheriff’s Pico Rivera station said someone is normally honored at the event and at the request of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Hicks was chosen.

About 25 members of Hicks’ family, including her sister, son and other relatives, were present.

“What a great platform – National Night Out – to honor her,” said Sanchez. “She was trying to keep her community nice and graffiti-clean. As we all know, it ultimately cost her life.”

Also present were a number of service organizations, and free food was provided. A blood drive was held, and there was music.

“It’s our one day we’re able to join forces with the residents of Pico Rivera to show we are going to stomp out crime and not tolerate the criminal element,” Sanchez said.

In Whittier,there about 20 different service groups providing ed information.

The city also had some fun stuff for the youngsters with a bounce house and a rock wall.

“It brings out the citizens of Whittier, asking them to turn on their porch lights, lock their doors and say no to crime and drugs in Whittier,” said Officer Bradley White, spokesman for the Whittier Police Department.

“This is an opportunity for the community to get together with the Police Department one night and show their support,” White said. Margaret Hernandez of Whittier comes ever year.

“We get a lot of tips from the Police Department,” Hernandez said. “It’s very educational.”